Remote control mechanism, especially for vehicles with fluid drive



Feb. 9, 1954 H. HERRMANN REMOTE CONTROL MECHANISM, ESPECIALLY FOR VEHICLES WITH FLUID DRIVE I Filed Nov. 6, 1950 Inventor Hf/NR/(H Ht'AMflA/A/ Patented Feb. 9, 1954 UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE REMOTE CONTROL MECHANISM, ESPEE CIALLY FOR. VEHICLES WITH FLUID DRIVE Heinrich Herrmann, Kettwig, Germany, v assignor to Fried. Krupp Lokomotivfabrik, Essen, Germany ApplicatiomNovember 6, 1950, Serl'aPNor 19 1- 305 Claims priority, application! Germany November 23,1949

device; the receiver side comprises adj usti-ng elements for a. precise adjustment of: individual control; values; whereas a precise adjustment is not requireda at the. transmitter side. According to' knowrr remote: control mechanism, a pres sure: controlled; adjusting; element at the receiver side is adjusted. from transmitter side: by efiecting; a; change in pressure off the fluid pres:- surez'means; whilei rm: instance; compressed; air orwaterunder pressure was used; as fluid pressure" means. This arrangement: is; however, vulnerable in several respects. Thus, the transmitting means which: generally consists; of rubber hoses to== convey the pressure: fluidmeans from one vehicle. to another vehicle may relatively easily be: damaged;. Furthermore, .v difficulties are fire-- quentlyencountered; whenconnecting or: disconnectmgg said; hoses, particularlx whensliquids are used: aspressure fluid means.

It is thereforeanobject ot; the present. inventtion to provide a remote control: mechanism whichwill: overcome the above-mentioned draw-- backs.

It is another object of: the present inventionvtol provide a. remote control mechanism in which; H theremotecontrel. iseffected by purely mechanicisel'y controlledestrokesor adjustments while on;

the. other hand, itci's' relatively simple in construction' and operation and easy to handle..-

These' and other objectsand advantagesof the invention will appear. more clearly from. the

following specification in connection with .the accompanying: drawings in which:

Figural illustrates: in a diagrammatic manner a first embodiment of the present elevation partly: inview and" partly in sectionr Figure 2: represents: a graph indicating; the different control steps in. connection with the;

control spring means; shown in: Figure 1-;

Figure 3 is a-second embodiment. of? the inven-a illustrates: in vertical: section a: remote: control mechanismaccordingrto which onea trans mitter controls the pumping blades of" two fluid drives" operating independently of each other.

GeneraL arrangement Asindicated above; the present invention re lates to remote control mechanisms adapted at the receiver sideto effect precise adfiustments, whereas no correspondingprecise control movementsarerequired at the transmitter side; whiledevicesof thisgeneral 'charact'er have. beenknown heretofore; the present invention: differsfrom theheretofore known devices of this type in that the transmitter and: the receiver are' con necte'dwith each other by a stroke control mechanism and: by means" cooperating therewith,

said; means constructed ancr arranged so that they will remaim stationary within the range ofprecise control values;- even if the": stroke: control mechanism continues to move:

Structural arrangement respectively.pertaining; to motors not shown-hr the drawings, The electric control-arrangement; 2'2 receives its voltage from a plus line 3 I: and: amihus. line 32.. Connected to the-plusline 3t through a conductor 33 is arr-electric. resistor 34; which latter, through. a conductor. 35 i-s-connected: with. the minus. line 32 and is adapted to be varied by a slidableoontact- 36- positively con---- nected. with the adjusting lever. t.- A'lsoconnecte'dwith the pliisline 3 ll throughaconducton 31, 38 are electric resistors. 39, 40 respectively which; through conductors with" tlie minus line 32'and controltthe receivers 23;, 24", respectively: Each resistor 39} 40- has associated therewith an: adjustable sliding contact" 43; 4% respectively mounted on a threaded bushing; 4'61 'I'liebushirrgs or nuts 45216 are respeotiwziymovahlymounted on spindles .41, 48" forming the end of ashaft pertainingtoa; separately excited shun'tmotor 49";- 50 respectively receiving itst exciting: eurrent'irom conduits 5F,

41,. 42 are connected 3 52 and 53, 54 connected to the lines 3! and 32. Connected to one brush of the armature of each shunt motor 49 and 50 through a movable conductor 55, 55 and a stationary conductor 51, 58 is the respective slidable receiver contact 43, 44. Connected to the other brush of the armature of each motor 49 and 50 is a movable conduit 59,

coming from an emitter contact 36, and a stationary forked conductor 60, 6! connected to the conductor 59.

When the adjusting lever l is moved in clockwise direction from its rest position shown in Figure 1 in which no currents flow, the emitter contact 36 moves in the direction of the arrow X of Figure 1. As a result thereof, the steps of the resistor 39, 40 of each of the two shunt motors 49, 58 are respectively connected with steps of different voltage of the emitter resistor 34. The difference in voltage causes a current to flow, which current brings about rotation of the motor 49, 50 in one or the other direction depending on the direction of flow of the current. This, in turn, changes the position of the contacts 43, 44 pertaining to the receiver resistors 39, 40 respectively until the contacts occupy the same position as the adjusted emitter contact 36.

The free ends of the motor shafts 41, 48 have connected thereto a worm 62, 63 respectively meshing with a worm wheel 64, 65. Respectively rigidly connected with the worm wheel 64, 65 is a cam 65, 67 which is connected to the cylinder piston arrangement 3, which latter is operatively connected through a two-arm lever 4 with a second spring controlled cylinder piston arrangement generally designated 5. The springs 6, I and 8 of the cylinder piston arrangement 5 produce a spring characteristic or graph 9 with steps IQ, II as indicated in Figure 2. In contact with the cam areas of the cams B6, 61 are rollers 68, 69 respectively carried by rod-shaped supporting members 10, H of a cylinder piston arrangement 3. The cylinder piston arrangement 3 is again connected with the control member I3 of the receivers 23, 24 by means of a two-arm lever 4 and a connecting rod 12, which latter pertains to the cylinder piston arrangement 5 housing the springs 6, 1 and 8. When the adjusting lever l is moved in clockwise direction, current flows from the plus line 31 through the elements 33, 34, 36, and 59, the elements 60, 49, 51, 55, 43, 39 and 4|, the members 6!, 50, 58, 55, 44, 49 and 42 respectively to the minus line 32 and causes the shafts of the motors 49 and 50 to turn leftwardly until the contacts 43, 44 have moved toward the right by the same distance by which the emitter contact 36 was moved by the adjusting lever i in the direction of the arrow X. When the emitter contact 36 is moved in opposite direction, opposite movements will be effected. The rotation of the shafts pertaining to the motors 49, 58 causes a rotation of the cam discs 66, 67, thereby causing the rollers 58, 69 in contact therewith to perform a stroke in the direction of the supporting members 10, H corresponding to the stroke of the adjusting lever l. The cylinder piston arrangement 3 will be moved. As a result thereof, the connecting rod l2 and the control member it connected therewith and pertaining to the receiver will be adjusted against the thrust of the springs 6 to 8. The weakest spring 6 abuts with one of its ends a collar [4 of the connecting rod I2, while the other end of said spring abuts against the bottom of a cup [5. The open end of the cup i5 is provided with a flange [6 which is pressed by the next stronger spring 1 against an abutment I T of the casing or cylinder pertaining to the cylinder piston arrangement 5. The springs l and 8 are mounted in a corresponding manner. The forces transmitted through the control members I3 are amplified by the amplifier pistons 21, 28 of the amplifing cylinders which are open at the bottom.

When, by turning the adjusting lever l clockwise, for instance, the cam disc 61 is rotated in the same sense, the roller 69 moves downwardly with regard to Figure l and the control member 13 likewise rotates clockwise about its pivot 12, which latter is provided at the free end of the rod pertaining to the amplifier piston 21. As a result thereof, the control spool of the receiver 23 moves downwardly with regard to Figure 1 so that pressure fluid may escape from the space above the amplifier piston 21 through channel 73 and annular chamber 14 of the spool into a discharge conduit 75. The spring effect between the working piston 21 and the governor sleeve 29 presses the piston 2i upwardly. In this way, the control member 53 is rotated around the pivot 16 on the rod 12 in anti-clockwise direction, and the spool of the receiver 23 is returned upwardly. When the adjusting lever I is rotated in opposite direction, opposite movements will be effected. When the spool 23 is moved upwardly, pressure fluid flows from an inlet conduit 1'! through a second annular chamber 18 and the channel 13 into the space in front of the working piston 21, thus, effecting a return of the same downwardly.

The individual steps of the operation of the device shown in Figure l are represented in the graph of Figure 2. Marked ofi on the ordinate of this graph are the counter-thrusts of the springs 6, '5 and 8, whereas on the abscissa there are marked off the compressions of the springs or what amounts to the same, the controlled stroke of the control member 13 pertaining to the receiver.

It will be clear that by moving the adjustin lever i clockwise with regard to Figure 1, the spring 6 will be compressed in conformity with line 18 of the graph 8. If the compression stroke of spring 5 is exhausted, a further movement of the adjusting lever i in the same direction as before will cause the spring 19 in the cylinder piston arrangement 3 to compress, whereas the connecting rod l2 remains stationary in its respective position. This step is represented in Figure 2 by the vertical step line it]. In this way, it is possible to realize a precise value, for instance, the idling step, the full load step or the overload step of an internal'combustion engine, even though the adjustment at the transmitter side lacks precision.

As soon as the pre-tension of the spring 1 has been overcome, the steps just described in com necticn with spring 6 will repeat themselves for spring I. The graph it of the spring 5 in Figure 2 has its equivalent in the line 28 of spring I, while the step line it of spring 5 has its equivalent in the step line i l of spring 7.

When the pre-tension of the spring 3 has been overcome, the spring 8 with its graph 2! becomes effective. If desired, the step line if! may represent the idling step and the step line H may" represent the full load step. Deviations'or lack of precision in the adjustment at the transmitter side which, as to value, are within the spring thrusts at the lower and upper ends of the lines of the graph sections it) or H, therefore, do not affect the precision of the adjustment of definite controlling or adjusting values at the receiver 5 side. The diificultfes encountered'wfi'cm applying: a pressure fluid partioul'arly when the pressure-i means is to be conveyed over larger distanceswili be av oidem- Referring now to Figure 3:, this i igi-i re illus trates an arrangement according to which,- by

means of a transmitter impulse, the adjustable pu m pingblades: of two d drives adapted to worlr independently of each other, be so ad justed that againprecise control: values wilt be maintained. Thetransm-itter impulse iscon'i'-= posed of a shifting movement of' an adjusting lever not shown which movement is conveyed to ancam disc 65 according toFigi-ire 1 The transmitteriinpulse; furthermore; comprises" a move ment of a lever adapted liGbGT-HGVGd by a governor lever system (not shown) pertaining toathe free end of the rod I pertaining to the am: plifien piston: is a two-earirr distributing lever Ifll adapted to control the two blade adjustments of the fluid: drive. Each end; of the lever MM is pivotally connected with a spring means containing cylinder piston assembly a having a spring characteristic with steps. The rod I2 of this arrangement is adapted toinfluencethe adjusting member P3 of the receivers 2 3 2 respectively. Similanto' the first embodiment of" Figure the receivers 23 M are formed by ava-l've member" of air amplifier 25; 2-6- respectively which, however, in contrast to'the embodiment of- Figure L act's uporr the l'ever'systcm ofa bladeadjustment not shown. The laws according to-wliich the: blades are adjustedmaybe'the-sa-me or'ma-y be dilterent from eaclr other although both are being controlledby oneandthe same common transmitter 95; If the common transmitter 91 which repre sents-t-hc common stroke adjustment, adjusts one fi'u-i'ddrive faster thantheother one, there will-be effected abalanceat thoseplaceswhere a precise ad'j'ustmentof the twotransmissions is required: This is effectedi through; the? cylinder-piston arrangement So by causing, the. element whichwas,

adjusted. too, fast to remain. stationary at; those slowly has reached the corresponding equivalent value representing position. Only then again the two members may be adjusted together. In other words, the adjusting elements which are in parallel arrangement equalize each other.

In the arrangement of Figure 3, the amplifier 98 constitutes the second yielding member corresponding to the spring link 3 of Figure 1, its piston remaining stationary notwithstanding displacement of its control valve, during the periods of dwell of the devices 5a.

It is, of course, understood that the present invention is by no means limited to the particular structure shown in the drawings but, also, comprises any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A remote control arrangement comprising in combination; a control member to be moved into a: plurality or precisely Ioootoa positions, on

abutment; a piarality of Springs pre tonsionocr t6- difierent initial thrusts arranged in series be tween said control member and said abutment} floating abutments interposed between said springs adapted for abutting as the springsthere between are fullydeformed: the pre -tensioiroir each or the said springs being such that each of" the said springs will be any deformed before the next strongest of thesaid springscommences to deform, anad justable member movable into" a plurality of positions corresponding to the plu rality of positions for the saidcontrol member; but each movement of theadjustable member from one position thereof to the next including a predetermined amount of overtravel beyond that required for moving the control member between its corresponding positions; and means connect ingtho adifustable member with the control member comprising a resilient element, said resilient element having a modulus such that it will doform" between the thrust that will completeiy deform one of'the springs associated with the control member and the, thrust that will commence. deformation of the next or said springs" suffi" ci'e'ntl'y' to absorb the overtravel of's'aid' adjustable mem'ben.

2"; A remote control arrangement comprising] into a plurality of positions" corresponding to] the" plurality' of positions for the Said control member, but each movement of the adjustable member from one position thereof to the next including a predetermined amount of overtr'avel beyond that required: for moving" the control member between its corresponding positions, and means" connecting the adjustable member; with the control. member comprising a resilient element, said resilient element having a modulus such that it will deform between the thrust that will completely collapse" one of the springs assdc'iatedwith the control member and the thrust j that will" commence deformation of the next strongest of said springs sufii'ci'entlyt'o' absorb the overtravelofsaid' adjustable member;

3. A remote control arrangement comprising in combination; a. pair of control members to be moved into a plurality of precisely located positions, an abutment for each said member, a plurality of compression springs pre-tensioned to different initial thrusts arranged in series between cach said control member and its abutment, floating abutments interposed between the springs of each group adapted for abutting as the springs therebetween are fully compressed, the pro-tension on each of the said springs being such that each of the said springs in each group will be fully compressed before the next strongest of the said springs commences to deform, an adjustable member movable into a plurality of positions corresponding to the plurality of positions for the said control members, but each movement of the adjustable member from one position thereof to the next including a predetermined amount of overtravel beyond that required for moving the control members between their corresponding positions, and means connecting the adjustable member with the control members, each said connection comprising a resilient element, said resilient element having a modulus such that it will deform between the thrust that will completely collapse one of the springs associated with the control members and the thrust that will commence deformation of the next strongest of the said springs sufficiently to absorb the overtravel of the said adjustable member.

4. A remote control arrangement comprising in combination, transmitter means including adjustable means operable to produce adjusting im pulses, receiver means, controlling means adapted for being associated with said receiver means for effecting a precise adjustment thereof for each adjusting impulse directed to said receiver means from said adjustable means via said controlling means, stroke control means interposed between said transmitter means and said controlling means, first yielding means having a spring characteristic with steps and being operatively connected between said stroke control means and said controlling means, and second yielding means interposed between said first yielding means and said stroke control means and being yieldable within the range of the steps of said spring characteristic, said first and second yielding means being operable to absorb excessive adjusting movements of said adjustable means within predetermined limits beyond the respective exact adjusting positions thereof corresponding to the desired precise adjusted positions of said controlling means to thereby prevent transmission of said excessive adjusting movements to said receiver means and enabling a definite precise adjustment of said controlling means, and, therefore, said receiver means, without necessitating a corresponding precise adjustment of said adjustable means.

5. A remote control arrangement according to claim 4 in which said first and second yielding means are formed by cylinder-piston arrangements including springs acting between the piston means and the cylinder means respectively of said cylinder-piston arrangements so as to continuously urge the same away from each other.

6. A remote control arrangement as set forth in claim 4 which includes a two-arm lever interposed between and operatively connected with said cylinder-piston arrangements.

7. A remote control arrangement according to claim 4 in which said stroke control means in: cludes positively acting mechanical motion conveying means.

8. A remote control arrangement according to claim 4 in which said stroke control means includes electrically controlled motion conveying means.

9. A remote control arrangement according to claim 4 which includes power amplifier means interposed between said receiver means and said controlling means to thereby allow reduction of the controlling force to be conveyed from said transmitter means to said controlling means.

10. A remote control arrangement according. to claim 4 in which each of said controlling means, receiver means, stroke control means, and first and second yielding means includes at least two separate members operable to act independently of each other in conveying and receiving said adjusting impulses produced by a common adjustable means.

11. A remote control arrangement according to claim 4 in which each of said controlling means, receiver means, and first yielding means includes at least two separate members operable to act independently of each other in conveying and receiving said adjusting impulses produced by a common adjustable means and conveyed by a distributing mechanism associated to a common second yielding means.

HEINRICH HERRMANN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 740,816 Daily Oct. 6, 1903 1,764,923 Wilson June 17, 1930 1,891,678 Maybach Dec. 20, 1932 1,996,679 Lepek Apr. 2, 1935 2,009,995 Engel et al. Aug. 6, 1935 2,139,194 Lichtenstein Dec. 6, 1938 2,159,863 Schilling May 23, 1939 2,213,824 Seeley Sept. 3, 1940 2,270,100 Adler Jan. 13, 1942 2,272,950 Mereier Feb. 10, 1942 2,383,278 Stevens Aug. 21, 1945 2,398,407 Brownyer Apr. 16, 1946 2,402,400 Hewitt et a1. June 18, 1946 2,416,154 Chilton Feb. 18, 1947 2,418,129 Larson Apr. 1, 1947 2,489,444 Bechler Nov. 29, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 94,131 Sweden Jan. 13, 1939 

